Cupcakes & Conversation with Sarah Kundi, Ballet Black

Sarah will be dancing with Ballet Black on Thursday 2nd July, 7.30pm, at the Hackney Empire,and Ballet Black can be seen in the Summer Collection NEW LINES IN DANCE 2009 (Programme B) at the Royal Opera House, on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th July at 7pm.

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
I put on my favourite tunes very loudly!!

Who would you most like to dance with ?
Carlos Acosta.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
At the last minute! No, only kidding, seriously with a lot of care.

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
Wake up, get ready, go to class and rehearsals, spend time with family/friends, then sleep.

You can ask six famous people to dinner – who would you invite ?
Some are no longer with us : Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Princess Diana, Johnny Depp, Edward Cullen & Teddy Thompson.

What would surprise people about you ?
That I am not a one trick pony, I am surprising myself all the time.

Who inspired you to dance ?
Margot Fonteyn and Tamara Rojo.

How would someone else describe you ?
One of a kind.

Photo : Bill Cooper

What is your best piece of advice ?
Always stay positive and remember a smile goes a long way.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
Dancing in Will Tuckett’s ballet, Depouillement, that he created for Ballet Black this year, challenged me physically and technically which was great because it was what I wanted and needed to enable me to grow as a dancer.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
I really can’t think of anything in particular, sorry! Too many things to remember!

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
A costume that would give the impression of movement with me not having to do a lot…… (as if)!!

What are you most proud of ?
Dancing professionally since 19 and now with Ballet Black in London. Also to be one of the only Asian ballerinas around at the moment.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
Myself probably if I am mobile enough!

What is your favourite quote ?
I can’t decide on one so here are a few of my favourites:
‘Make it Happen’
‘Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart’
‘If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door’

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
I got to grade 5 on the piano and I love to sing (especially in the bath!)

Thank you for this interview and for highlighting a dancer and company who don't always get the attention that some other's do. It's a great read and I look forward to more of your well crafted interviews

Brillaint questions and equally great answers – how very well thoguht-out from both interviewer and interviewee. great to read something new and i like the format here. i missed the hackney show but will try for the opera house ones now i know a bit about one fo the company dancers

how unusual to find an interview with a less well known dancer. full marks to you for bringing it to us. love your website – your expertise in this field is clear to see and all of your posts are fabulous to read